Automobile bumper



Dec. 21,1926; I 1,611,156

- H.A'.'BORRE$EN a AUTOMOBILE BUMPER Filed May 26. 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 1I 6- 1w 1, m 6 m 5 L, e h 9 S Z y NR; E fim w R OHM BWM Twm awn a. MP5;m 5 6 1 I I HW NV w M D I Patented neeai, was. ii

' HELGE. A. BORRESEN, on cnrceejofrnmnorsg AUTOMOBILE BUMrEa.

xApplication fiieaina 26,1923. Serial No. aneaa The invention relates Ito automobile. bumpers'and has among its various objects the provisionofa construction of thischaracter which will yieldably resist impactsimparted to it upon its engagement with another object.

It is a featureof the invention to provide "a construction which will.ofler a, certainv predetermined .yieldable resistance to the initial'force applied and to employ in the mined elasticity has been reached,will be substitutedfor the yieldable resistance just referred to andthereafter present an element to the force applied which element hasgreater resisting qualities than that of yieldable resistance, It is anobject of the invention to employ an expansible element for resistingthe initial force appliedto the structure.

:It ist-a further object" toassociate'with the expansible element justreferred to,'a

means which acts to limit the expansion of said element, and whichwhenthe elasticity of the expansible element is reached will besubstituted for said expansible element and.

have the force applied thereto.- a a In addition itisan object toconnect or associate this means, which is substituted for the eXpansihlevmember, with :another means to which the force will be transmittedthrough the medium of said means; the last mentioned meanspreferably-also being of a resilient character which will thus presentayieldable' resistance to the force applied. It is another object ottheinvention to --provide"'a bumper in which the elements whereby it issecured to the vehicle and the members which extend across'the end ofthe --.Vehicle are permitted to moverelatively to each other when aforce is applied to either ,of said elements or said members.

It isa feature of the invention a plurality of devices eachof which iscapahle of presenting avariable resistance to the force appliechand toconnect these-elements together, the connectors {producing barrierswhich prevent the passage or" an object between a elements. a

In addition to the above it is'an object to design the connectorsabovereferred to soithat one of the resistant elementsmay move withrespect to another should a force be'applied to the former. 7

pair of said plurality of Vehicle;

end of the structure shown in Figure 0. Figure-51s a sldeyiew' of thestructures shown in Figuresv 3land 4:- Figure 6 1s :a

to employ 'Itis also an object of the inventionprovide a bumper with aguard and to ar range this guard at the juncture or connec t on of themeans whereby the bumper is connected to the vehicle, and the members-vwhichextend across ,the end: of the a 1 The invention hasthese and otherobjects all of whicli will be explained in detail and frmore readilyunderstood'when read in constructure "means which, after the predeter junction with the accompanying drawing-s whlch illustrate V21I1OL1Sarrangements of which the invention is susceptihle itbein'g -hereof.-'=a V i I In the drawings 'Fignre 1 isa plan View of a'b'umper structure:embodying the various features above reterred ta; Figure 2. is

front View :of the structure illustrated Flgurel; Figure 3 sa plan v eweta modlfied form. F gure file a front v ewofan detail of a portion:ofthestructure shown j in Figures 3 to 5, Figure 7' is a side view of astructure such as that illustrated in Figures 1 and-'2, showing aconnector which may be employed toprevent the passage of an elementbetween certain other portions i-of' the'st'ructure. Figure. 8 is asid'e view showing a guard element associatedat: the

lit

juncture of the means whereby the structure may be mounted upon thevehicle and certain guard elements. Figurese and 10 are re spectivelyfront-and plan views of the strutture shown in Figure 8., Figure ll is aplan V16W' of a-modnied means for connect 9 ing the bumper to thevehicle. Figure 12 is another modified arrangement showing; a

shown in Figure 12. Figure 14 is a detail 01 a-connector employednn thestructure.

I The structures illustrated in the drawings include a member providedto reslst 'the initial force ap'plied'to the structure, anelementwhichis substituted for said member to arrest forces ineiicess of thosewhicl).

fia' t memberv tor resisting the initial force applied to thebumper andhaving associated and 21 are secured to the ends of open ends of thesesprings 25 ably securedthereto at this point.

the bumper structure. These spring members are each formed so thatthey'eirtend outwardly from the sides oi the chassis and are then'bentinwardly toward the chas is. The inner ends of said spring members areeach provided with a connector 19 whereby the cross members generallydesignated '20 the spring members 15, 16, 17 and 18.

In view of the fact that these connectors and the cross members arerespectively of a similar construction, an explanation oi theconstruction of one cros's member and the method of attaching it to itsrespective spring members such as 15 and 16 will suflice foranunderstanding of all. p The connector 19 employed inthe presentstructure is shown in detail in Figure 1 and includes the tubularportion 22 through which the pin 23 is passed and has the fiat aperturedextension 245 secured to the end of one of the springs 15 to 18 by beingriveted or otherwise fastened thereto.

The cross members and 21 which extend across the end of the vehicle eachhave their opposite ends respectively attached to one of the springmembers 15 to 18 through the medium of a connector 19. These crossmembers each include a coiled spring 25 which may normally be under atension ficient to present a yieldable resistance to an initial forceapplied thereto.

The connectors 19 are inserted into the A men ber 26, which in thepresent instance is illustrated as being a' chain, is encased within thecoils of these springs 25 and has its opposite ends each secured totheconnectors 19 through the medium of the pin 23, which as beforestated, is passed through the connector and through a link of saidchainand thus will provide an attachmentv having" the necessary strength towithstandthe forces applied to this portion ofthe structure.

The chain26, 'under'normal conditions lies loosely within the spring 25or in other words, is of 'alength which is greater than the lengthot'thev spring in which it is confined, providing slaclr, which willallow either of the springs 25-25 to be et'panded to a certain degreeupon the application oi an initial force thereto, which force after itexceeds the prescribed resistance otsaid whereby it may beand. aresuitmitted and resisted by the pairs of elements snring will be appliedto the chain, which; by virtue of its connection with the respe tivespring members 15, 16, 17 and 18 will transmit the force to. said lastmen tioned springs, and oiier a greater resilient 2a resistance to saidforce.

it is manifest that should a torceibe applied to any one of the springmembers 15, 16, 1? or 18 that the coiled springs 25 will be compressedand be caused to act in a manner similar to a solid bar and transmit theforce applied to the spring member at one end of the coiled spring tothe spring member provided at the opposite end thereof, I

To facilitate this last named function of the coiled springs 25,'theymaybe enclosed in a tubular flexible casing 2'4" which may be of rubber,is or any other suitable material which will allow the coiled spring 53to expand and contract upon the application and release of said force,and will also aid in reducing the injury to another vehicle or otherobject withwhich the bumper engages. I V V y it is evident that a bumpermay be composed of one or plurality of .iembers such as 20 and 21; if abumper having a plural- 'it of members 20 and 21 is preferred these beconnected together by the members 5; nerally designated 28 which extendfrom the opening one member to the other across or space exist ngbetween said members 20 and 21, andprevent the passage of an objectbetween said mentioned members.

Th cross inembersainay be of a fieXbilc cnaracteres illustrated inFigures 1 and 2 or m v be of a more rigid character as shown in c" H ireC The cross i'nembers 28 illus' trated in Figures 1 and 2"are composedofCl .-s 29-29 which are located at suitable in eervais throughout thelengti of the mem' I here 20 and 21, are securely fastenedthereto andhave the chain sections 30 fastened to clips, the said chain sectionsbeing 2:; tended. transversely across the space produced between saidmembers 20 and 21. 1;

it is manifest that should a force be a plied to one or both of themembersjQO an l that the initial action'oi saidtor'ce resisted by thecoiled spring 25 and, also to some extent by the spring elements 15 to18 i further evident thatshould the force the prescribed resistanceofsaid F x *0; that this excesswill be applied to hie chain or othersimilar element bonfined within said spring and thereafter betransdesignated 15 to 18. V Y

The structure illustrated in Figures 3 to 6 employs a spring; chain orother flexible element similar to the structure illustrated in Figures1-2, but differs in the connections whereby these portions are attachedto =1) ice not again be explained in detail. In the structureillustrated in Figures 3 to 6 pivoted 'nonresilient members 3-2 and are"employed for attaching said member 31 tothe chassis. These members 32and 33 are rc-.

spectivelypivotally connected at 345and 35 to brackets 36 which aresecurely fastened to the chassis of the vehicle.

one end secured to a bracket 36'and has a plurality of leafspringmembers 38, 39 and 40 attached to the opposite end. The springmember 39 is interposedbetween the spring members 38 and a0, iscurvedoutwardly relatively to the end oft-he vehicle and extendssidewise a sufiicient distance toprotect the vehicle to which it isattached. Each of these members 39 is provided with a plate] When thepartsoit' the bumper assume 3 V normalposition as illustrated in fulllines in Figure 3, the action of thespring member 31', upon the members32 and'33 is limited by the stops 42 and 43 which respectively engageand limit the inward movement of said members, but permit 3 the outwardmovement Y 7 thereof as illustrated :in dotted lines in Fig- "Lire-3.

By virtue of the flexible element or chain confined within the member3l'this outward movement will also be limited; "however,

. should a force .be applied to either ofthe I sibility'otinjurvtozanobjectwith-wliiclitlie will also reduce the injury resulting to'andfrom its engagement with another ect. It isfof course understoodthatthis feature can be applied to bumper structures other than thosedisclosed herein. The particular con- 1 by said bumper structure. ismounted-or securedto t'he'chassis ofthe vehicle and the pivoted members32 or '33 sufiicient tobring the flexible element into; action."lhisadditional or excess force will be resiliently -re--- sisted by theother of the yieldable pivoted element s generally designated '32 and Iwhich will thus prevent breakage o'fythe bumper and reducestoa minimumthe-pos bumper contacts. I i .3

InFigures, 8, 9. and 10 a bumper is dis closed which provided withanelement for protecting the end of the bumper and. which structionillustrated contemplates the use of a suitably shapedarinor which is'applicable to be associated with and. secured "to" a: bumper atthejuncture or" the means where'- in embers which e i fi ross the "endof the vehicle. r I

These members 32 vand 33 each include anarm 37- ewhich has both objects.

the operation 4 of H V hthereby. This armor'is designated .i4l=andisforined so as to provide a protecting shellwhich exe tends from apoint adjacent the uppermost portion of the upper cross member to belowthe lowermost portion o f'fthe: lower cross member, and in additionextends sidewise to secured to the vehicle; I the frame o'f the vehicleby means of the This shell44 is preferably curved both vertically {andhorizontally and therefore ins will present an oblique surface toan'yobiect Y and strike a glancing instead ofa direct blow the'possibility of injury to which will reduce Asclearly shown in= Figiii'ethis armor plate is securedtoa support 45 and extendslaterally'therefrom so that it may protect the resilient elementswhereby the bumper is' secured to the vehicle, the armor 1 being formedso that freedom of movement of said resilient membersmay result 7 themodified structureillustrated in Figure .12 the use of a flat coiledspring 46 is contemplated; which maybe substituted for the cross membersillustrated in'Figures 1 we. The spring member such as 46 isfof asubstantial "width which will thus eliminate the necessity of the use ofone of the coiled spring members above referred to. The membertti'issecured to the leats'pring/l'l whereby the structureissecured to thevehicle by means of-a plate 48 which is bolted or otherwise securedto-the spring and has the enlarged portion i9 whiclrisenclosed within thtapering interior of the flat coil spring zoo 46." This portion of theplate 48 is apertured and has anend of thechains 505 1-s ecured to t,the, latter chain members being employed to provide a means for limitingthe I expansion of the s pring and tobe substituted thereforto resistthose forcesfapp'liedto the springfwhich are n excess of v the pred'e--i38111'l1116d resistance of the spring.

I The structure illustrated in Figure 'll dis 3 closes another l means,-whe'reb'y the bumper may be connected to thechassis or" the vehi-' V.cle In}. this structui'e the yieldable-.mem-- bersorsprings' such as l6to 1'8 .are 'con nected so as to permit them to pivot at blgtllfi.extremityot said members being secured to.

. the chassis by the'clip' or clevis 7 From the foregoing explanation ofthe; i a j construction and operation of the --various 7 embodiments 10:" the-invention illustrated in the drawings, "it 'is inanifest that aconstruc tion is provided infwhich the elements eni- I ployed coactiwith each othervto resist various forces applied to the structure;.4. It s further evident thatan efiicient struc I ture is producedwherebythe ends of the bumper are protected against the possibili.- styof injurywhich does not interfere with the portions protected} Havingthus "described the invention what f ee I claim and desire to coverby'Letters Patent is: p 7

1. ,lnan automobile bumper the combination cf niember-.vhich extendsacross the end of the vehicle, members whereby said firstlllQIllilQDGCldllGlllbG-f is-secured to the vehicle, said memberincluding in will yieldably resist an initial predetermined forceapplied to the bumper andyieldable flexible means operable to relievesaid first mentiened yieldable means and to resist said cle includingmeans which will yieldablv re "force after said predetermined force hasbeen reached. j I v 2. In an automobile br oer the combination of aii'emiber which w across the end of a vehicle, members wnereby saidfirst mentioned member is secured to the vehicle, said member "whichextends Q-CI'CSStllG vehivehicle'and which is operable to relieve saidmeans and resist said force.

l; In an automobile bumper the combinationof a member which extendsacross the end ofa vehicle, members whereby said first mentioned memberis attached to the vehicle,

i said member which extends-across the vehicle being eXpa-nsible'andhaving associated therewith a means which is extensible and operable tolini'itthe expansion of said ex 7 pansible member.

5. In an automobile bumper the combination of a member which'elxtendsacross the end of a vehicle, members whereby'said first mentioned memberis attached to the vehicle,

said' member which extends across: the vehicle ber npan'sible and havingassociated iich is extensible and in v therewith a means w operable tolimit tliQSXPflilSlOIl of said citi- .pansible member, and meansassociatedwith the ex :nsible member for resiliently resistingthe theforce appliedthereto.

6; In an automobile bumper the combina-' 7 tion of means whereby saidbumper maybe attached to a vehicle and a ceiled spring member which. isattached to said meansv and h the end of said vehicle, said weirbeiiigpermitted to expand upontactingf-with an 'obgect and to contractfwl en said contact is released.

. In an automobile bumper the conibina .tion of; means whereby-saidbumper ans which vehicle, said member I to sa d be attached toa'veliicle, and a coiled spring member which is attached to said meansand extends across theend of said vehicle, said coiled spring memberbeing permitted to 651- pend upon contacting with an object and tocontract when said contact is released, and means for limiting theexpans on of SLlCl member.

8. In an automobile bumper theconibiiia- V 7 tion of means whereby saidbumper may attached to a vehicle and a pair of members" which areattached to said means said memhers being'arranged parallely to-eachother and having connectors which connect said parallel memberstogether, said. members being permitted .t-OBXPfiHCl and contract uponcontact and release of an object by;-

said' hopper. V i V i I 9; In an autoiiiobile-bumper the combinaieldablemeans whereby said-bump- ,v bz-fa'ttached to a vehicle and anexpaiisible and cont-ractable member i which extends across the end'otthe vehicle connected to said yieldable means;

In an automobile bumper theco nbinw tion of a member VVhlChCXlZGIldSacross the end of the vehicle, members whereby said first mentionedmember is attached to the vehicle, said member which extends across thevehicle including means which are eX pansible to yieldably IGSlSb apredetermined force and including ant element which is 1 opcrabletorelieve said nieans and. resist said force. I

'11. in an autoinob le'biimper the co1nbina tion of a memberwhichextends across the endot a vehicle, members whereby said firstmentioned member is attached to the vehicle, said member which extendsacross the vehicle being expansible' and. having .as'soci- I atedtherewith a means which is extensible and operable to limit theexpansion ofsaid j expansihle member and ineans for limiting theextension of said means.

12, In anautomobile bumper the combine c tion of means which extendoutwardly with respect tothe vehicle whereby said bumper maybe attachedto a vehicle, asp ing the opposite ends oi which are respect velyattached to each or said. means, a' nd said spring being permitted toexpand upon "contact with. an object and be resisted by said means.

in an autoinoile bumperthe combination of means whicli'extei dsoutwardly with respect to the vehicle, whereby said bumper may beattached to a vehicle and a member which is attached a't'its oppositeends to said means andeiztends' across theend of said expand uponcontacting with an object and to contract when said contact is released.

and means also attached at its opposite ends 14. In an automobile bumpertheconrbeing permitted to.

first; mentioned means for limiting -;'the expansionotlsaidinember.

bination of forwardly extending members pivoted to-swing outwardly andmeans'for preventing inward bodily movement thereof upon said pivots,and a member supportedby said first mentioned pivoted members,

said last mentioned "member beingrexpansible upon theapph-cation ofaforce applied thereto;

15.111 anautomobile bumper the combination of pivotedyieldable'meanswhereby said bumper may be" attached to ai vehicle and anexpans-ible and contractable member which extends across the end of thevehicle connected to saidpivoted yieldable means and means for limitingthe expansion of said member. V. p

'16. In an automobile bumper the combinationfofyieldable means wherebysaid bumper may be attached to a vehicle and an expansible andcontractable member which extends across the end of the vehicleconnected'toisaid yieldable means and means for limiting the expansionof said member and the movement of said yieldable means.

17. In an automobile bumper the com--.

' bination of means whereby said bumper may be attached to a vehicle, amember secured V to said means and being extended-across the end of. thevehicle, said member being expansible upon the application. of. a forceapplied thereto, and means extended. lengthwise of the expansible-memberfor limiting the expansion of said member, said means being operable toresist the force applied to said member. 7

18. In an automobile bumper the combination of means whereby said bumpermay be attached to a vehicle, said means being yieldable and havingmeans secured thereto which extends'across the end of the vehicle, saidlast mentioned means being ex pansible upon the application ofa forceapplied thereto. and means located wlthin the second mentioned means forlimiting the expansion of said memberpsaid last mentioned means beingoperable toresi'st the force applied to said member. I

19. In a bumper the combination of for- \vardly extending supportingmembers and guard members arranged crosswise and laterally of saidsupporting members and a plate providing {b.ShlBlCl', saidplate beingarranged to extend along adjacent the end bination of means whereby saidbumper'may,

of the cross member and along said laterally arranged guard member.

2). Inan automobile bumper the combe attached to a vehicle and anexpansible member attached thereto which extends across the end of said"vehicle, means for limiting the .expansionof said member and a saidexpansible mema casing for enclosin ber and last ment oned means. I

21. In an automobile bumper the combination of means whereby said bumpermay be attached to a vehicleand an' expansible member attached theretowhich extends across the end of said vehicle, means for limiting eexpansion". of said .Inemberta casing (for enclosmgsaid expansildlememher and last'mentioned 'means,- .'and aguard provided at the unctureof sald first men" ,l}1011d nieansand the expan'sibl'e member.

22. An automobile bumper havin'ga forwardlyextending member located ateach side of the vehicle said member being pivotally fixed adjacent anend to the vehicle and having an end which is movable toward the side ofsaid vehicle-and means-acting uponsaid forwardly extending member forrestoring said member from said last menpivoted to swing outwardly andmeans for preventing inward bodily movement thereof upon said pivots,and a member-supported by said first mentioned pivoted members, saidlast-mentioned member being expansible upon the application of a forceapplied "thereto and means for limiting the expan sion of saidexpansible member. 1 p

25. In an automobile bumper the combination of forwardlyextending'members pivoted to swing'outwardly and-means for preventingbodily inward movement thereof upon said pivots, and a member-supportedby. said first mentioned pivoted members saidlast mentioned, memberbeing expansible upon theapplication of a force applied thereto andbeing-extensible upon the outward movement of said pivoted members andmeans for limiting the extension of said expansible member. 1 v

26. In an automobile bumper the combination of forwardly extendingmembers pivoted to swing outwardly and means for preventing bodilyinward movement thereof upon said pivots, said pivoted members providingsupports for a member, which is .ex-

tensible upon the outward movement of said pivoted members and meansforlimi extension of said extensible member.

' 27. In a bumper thecombination of for warclly extending supportingmembers and guardfimembers arranged crosswiseand laterallyof saidsupporting; members and a ting the i. '1

plate providingashield, said plate being an ranged to jextend alongadjacent'the end of the cross member and valong said laterally arrangedguard inemb'erfsaid plate being curved lengthwise andv transverse of itsI lengt expansible impact member,

mounted supporting arms connected toh. v28. .A bumper comprising alongitudinally and pivotally 29. A bumper comprising a longitudinallyexpansible V and laterally flexible impact member, and supporting arms,each having an abutment for limiting the movement of the arm in onedirection, said abutment-v bein held in abuttin oosition b the im-' b 1b p pact member and oemg movable away Irorn.

abutting position when the supporting arm is engaged to expand theimpact member.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name'this 22nd day HELGEA.BORRESEN.

of Ma 'A. n, 1923.,

